7 Household Items That Should Never Be Flushed Down the Toilet
The toilet is a ubiquitous fixture in the home that we use daily. There’s a tendency to accept its convenience for granted, but it’s important to remember that it’s no garbage can. There are certain items that should not to be flushed into the toilet because they can cause obstruction from the pipes or damage to sewer pipes.
Key Takeaways
- Do not flush certain things into the toilet because they can cause blockages in the drain, or cause the damage of sewer lines.
- Seven household items you shouldn’t flush down the toilet include:
- Baby wipes
- Condoms
- Oil and cooking fat
- Products for female hygiene (tampons and sanitary pads)
- Medicines
- Dental floss
- Paper towels
- Flushing any of these items can result in blockages in drains or damaged pipelines inside your home’s plumbing system. This will come at an expense that is unimaginable to you.
- Melbourne Blocked Drains Plumbing offers unblocking blocked drains and drain clearing services, CCTV drain inspection, and pipe relining services.
Seven household objects you shouldn’t flush down the drain.
1. Baby wipes
Baby wipes might seem useful however, they do not break down like toilet paper and can clog your plumbing system. You should dispose of them in the garbage instead.
2. Condoms
The flushing of condoms in the toilet could cause blockages in the plumbing of your home as well as wastewater treatment facilities.
3. Food preparation grease and oil
Grease and oil must be disposed of in a container and thrown away in the garbage, since they’ll get hard and cause blockages in your drains or pipes.
4. Products for feminine hygiene
Tampons and sanitary pads are frequently marketed by their name as "flushable, " but flushing them will only lead to issues later on when they are combined with other items to form a nasty obstruction.
5. Medicines
It is not recommended to flush medications into the toilet as they can be a source of contamination for water sources.
6. Dental floss
Dental floss is created to be strong so it won’t fall apart in water, leading to possible blockages in your pipes.
7. Paper towels
As opposed to toilet paper papers have a stronger weave which means they are less likely to deteriorate quickly once wet, which means they won’t quickly cause blockages.
The bottom line is that flushing any of the seven items could result in blocked drains as well as damaged pipes within your home’s plumbing system that will result in a significant cost to you. Stay mindful of what you send down the toilet.
| Item | Reason for not Flushing |
|---|---|
| Baby wipes | Do not break down like toilet paper and can clog your plumbing system. Dispose of them in the trash instead. |
| Condoms | Leads to blockages both at home’s plumbing and treatment plants. |
| Cooking grease and oil | Will harden and cause blockages in your drains or pipes. |
| Feminine hygiene products | Combining with other items creates a nasty clog despite being marketed as "flushable". |
| Medications | Can contaminate our water sources. |
| Dental floss | Designed to be strong, leading to potential blockages in pipes. |
| Paper towels | Less likely to deteriorate quickly once wet, easily causing blockages unlike with toilet paper. |
Common Questions and Answers
Does flushing feminine hygiene products really damage my pipes?
Yes. Feminine hygiene products do not dissolve in water and can cause blockages in your sewer or pipes.
Can flushable wipes be truly flushable?
There is no need to worry, most "flushable" wipes do not actually break down easily and could cause clogs to your pipes.
Do I have to put baby wipes in the toilet?
No. Baby wipes shouldn’t be flushed down the drain since they are not able to dissolve easily and can cause blockages.
Are paper towels suitable to flush?
No. Paper towels are thicker than toilet paper and aren’t broken down as quickly, causing potential clogs in your plumbing system.
What are the implications of medications? Should I flush them down the toilet?
No. Medications can contaminate our waterways. Therefore, it’s important to dispose of them properly by taking these to designated place for drop-off.
If you find yourself dealing with blockage of your drain Don’t be afraid to contact our professional plumbing assistance by calling Melbourne Blocked Drains Plumbing . We provide unblocking blocked drains as well as drain clearing CCTV drain inspection as well as pipe relining services to make sure your home is not impacted by issues with drainage. Call us today to schedule an appointment.
Additional Information
- Avoid Drain Blockages in Their Tracks: A Homeowner's Manual
- Why CCTV Drain Inspection is a Cost-Effective Solution for Your Plumbing Needs
- CCTV Drain Inspection: The Key to Resolving Blocked Drains Quickly
- Avoid Expensive Repairs with Regular CCTV Drain Inspections
- Why Pipe Relining is a Cost-Effective Solution for your Business’ Plumbing Issues?
- How CCTV Drain Inspection Helps in Saving Time and Money on Plumbing Repairs?
- The Ultimate Drain Unblocker: Why Jetting is the Way to Go
- 10 Effortless Methods for Fixing a Clogged Drain
- Don't Let a Clogged Drain Put a Damper on Your Business: Get Regular Inspections
- Don’t Get Caught Unprepared! What You Need to Do Before a CCTV Drain Inspection
